Chambersburg who tried to burn grandmother's house down release from hospital

CHAMBERSBURG >> The Chambersburg man accused of trying to burn his grandmother's home down — with his grandmother still inside — was released from the hospital and returned to Franklin county earlier this week.

Christopher Thomas Rhone, 36, had been hospitalized for self-inflicted stab wounds during the night of the fire until Wednesday, according to court documents. Rhone was in police custody and arraigned by Magisterial District Judge David Plum at 6:45 p.m.

Rhone was denied bail by Plum due to "an extreme indifference for the well-being of himself and others," according to court documents.

The fire was set around 1:45 a.m. Aug. 30, when Rhone told his grandmother, who lived at 6503 Mountain Road, to get out of the house because he had said it on fire, court documents show. Rhone's grandmother, June Rhone, left her residence after waking up to the smoke detectors and noticing smoke in her bedroom. She walked to her son's house in the area where Christopher Rhone joined them later.

According to court documents, Rhone apologized to his grandmother and asked her to take care of his dog.

Rhone's step-mother was also at the house where Rhone and his grandmother went after starting the fire, according to court documents. She asked Rhone why he started the fire, and Rhone responded by saying "I'm sorry, I had to clean it," court documents show. Rhone said his grandmother's home was dirty and he had to clean it.

Area neighbors also went into the home to look for June Rhone because they heard Rhone calling for his grandmother to come out, according to court documents. They were informed she was safely away from the home and they were able to get out uninjured.

Prosecutors allege Rhone stabbed himself at an unspecified location, according to court documents. Further details of the stabbing were not shared, but Rhone was taken to York Hospital for treatment and remained under police supervision while there.

Rhone is charged with felony attempted homicide, aggravated assault, arson-danger of death or bodily injury and criminal mischief. He is also charged with 10 counts of misdemeanor reckless endangerment.

In the past, Rhone was charged with criminal mischief in 2006, but had the case dismissed after he paid the associated restitution. Rhone was also charged with simple assault, reckless endangerment and harassment in 2012, but had all charges withdrawn at the preliminary hearing stage.

Rhone also had a DUI charge from 2007 that was dismissed after he completed the accelerated rehabilitation program in 2008.

Rhone has had no other criminal activity in Franklin County since.

For the new charges, Rhone is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 15.